CN104428475B - For forming the panel of floor covering, the method for manufacturing this panel and the particulate matter for the panel - Google Patents

Abstract

Panel for forming floor covering, the wherein panel (1) at least layer (9) including thermoplastic, it is characterised in that the layer (9) also includes individual fibers of the length more than 1 millimeter.

Description

Panels for forming floor coverings, methods and applications for manufacturing such panels Particles on the panel

technical field

The present invention relates to a panel for forming a floor covering, a method for manufacturing such a panel and a granulate for said panel.

More specifically, the invention relates to panels comprising at least one layer of thermoplastic material, in particular a substrate layer of thermoplastic material. Furthermore, such a panel may also comprise at least one top layer with a printed decorative layer and a translucent and transparent wear layer as said layers.

The invention relates in particular to panels of the type comprising, on two or more opposite edges, coupling means or portions by means of which two such floor panels can be connected at said edges. Coupling such that they are interlocked in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the respective edges and in the plane of the floor panels as well as in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor panels. Such floor panels can be used to construct so-called floating floor coverings, wherein the floor panels are connected to each other at their edges, but lie freely on the underlying surface.

Background technique

Such panels are known, for example, from EP 1938963, EP 2339092A1 and WO 2010/023042. From these documents vinyl floor panels are known for forming floating floor coverings. Such vinyl floor panels mostly have a thickness of 3 to 5 mm and have a high material density. The respective cores of the panels consist of one or more layers of thermoplastic material such as soft PVC which may include fillers. A transparent thermoplastic layer and possibly a surface lacquer layer are provided on the printed part. According to EP2339092A1 a reinforcement layer on a fiberglass base can be applied.

A disadvantage of prior art panels is that they are subject to strong shrinkage and expansion under the influence of temperature. Shrinkage and expansion can lead to the floor covering or the panels being pushed upwards, for example to release the joints from one another, or to the phenomenon that the plate-shaped parts will float away, whereby gaps are created. The characteristics of the panels of the prior art are such that problems arise already due to heating eg by incident sunlight at a room window.

From WO 2012/004701 it is known to apply glass fiber layers or embedded profiles to increase the dimensional stability of such panels. In particular the bending stiffness of the panels has been addressed here.

US 6306318 describes a method for recycling waste carpets in which, starting from a molten mixture of recycled material based on waste carpets and new soft PVC, flexible floor tiles with a minimum thickness of about 5 mm are produced by means of injection molding methods. Said mixture comprises an amount of plasticizer in a maximum of 5 weight percent, the floor tile obtained has a uniform composition across its thickness and comprises 10 to 20 weight percent of unmelted polyamide or polyester carpet fibers, said The carpet fibers are evenly distributed across the thickness of these floor tiles. The fibers provide a wear resistant surface. As an alternative to the recycled material of waste carpet, it is also possible to use the recycled material of glass-fibre-reinforced synthetic material (English: glass fibres). In the case of carpets, this starts with carpet fibers of about 3.2 mm or larger, wherein a reduction in length during processing is avoided as much as possible. But it can be expected that breaking up the carpet before injection molding and processing it in the extruder will actually result in shortening of the existing fibers. It is not clear what the length of the glass fibers will be when starting from the recycling of glass fiber reinforced composites. It is also unclear how much glass fiber has been incorporated into the floor tile matrix and what kind of glass fiber is applied. The resulting floor tiles are relatively hard and not sufficiently flexible. This can lead to problems with impact noise during use and problems with uneven lower surfaces. Injection molded floor tiles include couplings along the edges, but these do not provide locking in the vertical direction. Furthermore, especially in the case of soft thermoplastic materials, the precision of injection molding is poor. This method is time consuming and it is almost impossible to change the appearance of the wear side of the floor tile. Such floor tiles may still have large dimensional changes with temperature changes.

GB 1248060 describes, as an alternative similar to US 6306318, a possible solution for manufacturing reinforced thermoplastic materials by a process in which successive layers of fibers are alternately laminated with layers of thermoplastic particles and extruded. In this way, breakage of existing fibers in the extruder is avoided. According to an example, rigid PVC can be used as thermoplastic material.

Contents of the invention

The present invention relates to a replaceable panel, firstly used as a floor panel for forming a floating floor covering. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, solutions for solving the problems of prior art panels are also provided.

To this end, the invention according to its first independent aspect relates to a panel for forming a floor covering, wherein the panel comprises at least one layer of thermoplastic material, characterized in that said layer also comprises independent fibers. "Independent fibers" means that they do not form part of a layer such as glass fiber cloth or a prefabricated layer, but are distributed freely, eg, uniformly or inhomogeneously within the thermoplastic material. The inventors have found that the use of such loose or individual fibers can contribute substantially to the dimensional stability of the panel, and in turn limit the degree of expansion or contraction among other things. Typically, such individual fibers look better embedded in thermoplastic materials than, for example, fiberglass cloth. Moreover, compared with such glass fiber mesh (non-woven fabric) or glass fiber cloth (woven), the independent fibers can be effective on a larger thickness of thermoplastic material, so that the passage through the glass fiber can be avoided to a large extent. Shrinkage or expansion occurs when the fiber cloth is removed.

Preferably, the average length of the respective fibers is 3 mm or greater. Good results have been obtained with fibers having an average length of about 4.5 mm. Preferably, the accessory factory is shorter than 10 mm or even shorter than 6 mm.

Preferably, the respective layers comprise respective fibers in a weight percent between 1 and 25, and better still between 5 and 15 weight percent, excluding other possible fibers such as chalk.

Preferably glass fibers are used for the fibers. E-glass as defined in DIN 1259, for example, is preferably selected. According to an alternative, steel fibers or other fibers such as carbon, aramid or polyethylene fibers may be applied.

Preferably, moisture-resistant fibers are applied, and thus no cellulose fibers, unless they are coated or treated, for example with acetylation, in order to render them at least somewhat moisture-resistant.

Preferably, the average diameter of the fibers, such as glass fibers, is between 1 micron and 100 microns or better still between 3 microns and 30 microns, wherein in various tests the range between 5 microns and 25 microns has been Proven to be the best.

Preferably, the fibers are provided with a coating or treated to improve adhesion to thermoplastic materials. Preferably, the surface of the fibers is treated with a coupling agent such as silane.

Preferably, the fiber has a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of the thermoplastic material in which it is located and/or a Young's modulus higher than that of the thermoplastic material in which it is located.

Preferably, the applied fibers have a Young's modulus greater than 40 GPa, more preferably greater than 60 GPa.

Preferably, the fibers used have a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 30 μm/mK and better still less than 5 μm/mK.

Preferably, said thermoplastic material relates to polyvinyl chloride, preferably semi-rigid or even soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ie PVC with a plasticizer, for example with a weight percentage of plasticizer in PVC greater than % 20 or more than 30 percent. It is clear that instead of using PVC, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PET) or polyurethane (PUR) can also be used.

Preferably, the panel of the invention further comprises at least a printed decorative layer above said layer and a translucent or transparent wear layer disposed thereon. The decorative layer may be formed by printing on a film of synthetic material, such as printed PVC film, PU film, PP film, PET film. In the case of PP films, this may for example involve oriented polypropylene films. The wear layer preferably also comprises a thermoplastic material, such as PVC, PU, PP or PET. Preferably, the transparent thermoplastic wear layer is free of solid additives, such as ceramic particles for enhanced wear resistance, but such particles are not excluded. The inventors have however found that it is omitted in order to obtain good transparency while still maintaining acceptable abrasion resistance, ie comparable or better than AC2 or AC3 class laminate panels as measured according to EN 13329. The thickness of the wear layer is at least 0.15 mm, and better at least 0.3 mm, but preferably less than 1 mm, with 0.2 to 0.4 mm being preferred values. With this better value, sufficient wear resistance for residential applications can already be achieved by the thermoplastic material of the wear layer itself, thus disregarding possible solid additives. Thus for example an IP value of 2000 or higher (point of initial wear) can be obtained in the stiffness test described in Annex E of EN 13329.

According to an alternative, a printed decoration or printing can be provided on the underside of the wear layer.

Preferably, the thermoplastic layer further comprises at least glass fiber cloth or glass fiber mesh. Preferably, this is a so-called "nonwoven", ie a glass fiber web. The inventors have discovered that glass fiber webs that are best purchased in thermoplastic materials can be oriented and thus the glass fibers can be processed more efficiently.

Preferably, the thermoplastic layer comprising individual fibers according to the invention relates to the substrate layer, ie the layer extending below the top layer. Preferably, such a layer is located at least in the middle of the thickness of the panel. In this way, possible bending effects as a function of temperature are limited or excluded.

The substrate of the panel can be constructed in various possible ways. Some non-exclusive possible options are summarized below.

According to a first possibility, the panel comprises at least two such layers based on thermoplastic material. The layers may lie directly on top of each other or may be separated by one or more intermediate layers such as fiberglass cloth or mesh. According to this first possibility, the thickness of the panel is preferably formed by these layers by 40 percent or more, or even by half or more. In other words, the substrate of the panel, and thus the layer underlying the decoration, can essentially be formed of such a layer with thermoplastic material and individual fibers. It is clear that this advantageously reduces the degree of expansion or contraction with temperature changes.

According to a second possibility, said panel further comprises one such layer based on thermoplastic material and fibres. Such a layer is located at least in the middle of the thickness of the panel and/or substrate. The respective layers preferably form at least 10 percent and better at least 50 percent of the thickness of the panel and/or substrate. The remainder of the thickness of the substrate may then be formed from a layer of thermoplastic material which may not necessarily include fibres, and/or from one or more glass fiber cloths or meshes. It is not excluded that the corresponding layer forms more than 80 percent or even the entire substrate.

Preferably, the substrate thickness is 1.3 to 10 mm. The thickness of the entire floor panel is preferably between 2 and 6 mm. Preferably, the base plate forms at least half of the thickness of the floor panel.

On the underside of the substrate, an opposing layer or backing layer, preferably a vapor-tight layer, may be provided. This counter layer or backing layer preferably consists of a layer of thermoplastic synthetic material. The thickness of the opposite layer preferably corresponds to the thickness of the top layer including a possible backing layer, but is preferably thinner. The opposite layer is preferably used as a balancing layer, so that a balanced sandwich structure can be obtained, ie no or minimal warping of the panels.

Preferably, the thermoplastic material comprising a layer of individual fibers according to the invention also comprises a filler, such as limestone.

A layer of lacquer can be used as the lowest layer of the panel. In this case, this can be a UV- or electron beam-cured lacquer layer or a PU varnish layer.

Preferably, the floor panels to which the invention is applied are provided at each edge with mechanical coupling means allowing to couple two such floor panels to each other so that in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the joint edges and in the plane of the panels and in the vertical The locking takes place in the vertical direction of the plane of the joined panels. Preferably, the coupling device also has one or a combination of two or more of the following features:

- said mechanical coupling means or coupling is substantially realized as a tongue and a groove delimited by an upper lip and a lower lip, wherein the tongue and groove are substantially intended for locking in said vertical direction, and wherein the tongue and groove are provided with substantially Additional locking part for locking in said horizontal direction. Preferably, the locking portion comprises a protrusion on the underside of the tongue and a groove in the lower lip. Such coupling means and locks are known for example from WO 97/47834;

- said mechanical couplings or couplings press the coupled floor panels against each other, for example due to the fact that these mechanical couplings are provided with so-called pretensioning devices known from EP 1026341 . The tension that causes the floor panels to press against each other or towards each other can be obtained, for example, by means of a lower lip in combination with the above-mentioned features, which bends outwards in the coupling position and presses against the tongue when trying to spring back. on the lower side;

- said mechanical coupling means allow coupling by means of a horizontal or quasi-horizontal movement of the panels towards each other;

- said mechanical coupling means allow coupling by means of a rotation W along the respective edge;

- The mechanical coupling means allow coupling by means of a downward movement of a male coupling part, for example with a tongue, into a female coupling part, for example with a groove. With such panels, there is a high risk of the connection being released as the panel expands or is squeezed upwards, since in this case the locking in the vertical direction is weakened;

- said mechanical coupling means or at least said upper edge is realized by means of a milling operation of a rotary milling cutter.

Preferably, said coupling means are realized substantially in said substrate, in particular in said layer comprising loose fibers according to the invention. Preferably, said coupling means are provided by means of a milling operation of a rotary milling cutter. Preferably, the floor panels of the present invention relate to rectangular or square rectangular panels provided with mechanical coupling means on two pairs of opposite edges.

The thickness of the panels provided with the coupling means is preferably 2.5 mm, better 3 mm. Thanks to the presence of said individual fibers, reliable coupling means can also be provided in panels of 4 mm or less. Due to the higher dimensional stability of the panels obtained, the coupling means are less stressed and can be made smaller.

The invention can be used for panels without coupling means at their edges, wherein these panels are then intended to be glued with their undersides to a lower surface. The thickness of such panels is preferably less than 4 mm, but preferably greater than 1.5 mm.

The width of the panels of the invention is preferably 8 cm or more. Particularly preferred dimensions are widths between 14 and 22 centimeters and lengths between 118 and 220 centimeters. It is clear that this concerns panel-shaped parts and thus not wall-to-wall floor coverings. However, the panel-shaped member need not be rigid, but may be rollable. The invention relates in particular to so-called LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) in the form of slabs or tiles.

When using individual E-glass fibers with a length of 3.2 mm in soft PVC with 20 weight percent plasticizer, the inventors have found that heating from 20°C to 120°C expands only 0.05%, whereas for no application independent A similar sample of fiber was expanded by 0.35%. Similar shrinkage values were also found for cooling.

According to an independent second aspect, the present invention also relates to a method which may be used for the manufacture of panels having the features of the first aspect of the invention or preferred embodiments thereof, but which may also be applied more generally. To this end, the invention contemplates a method for the manufacture of panels, wherein said method comprises at least the step of forming a layer of thermoplastic material, characterized in that the formed layer comprises individual fibers preferably having a length greater than 1 mm.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said layer is formed on the basis of particles of said thermoplastic material. Preferably, the particles of the particulate matter comprise at least 50 weight percent or 60 to 80 weight percent filler, such as chalk. The particles can, for example, be dispersed or otherwise deposited on the lower surface, whereupon said particles are consolidated into a thermoplastic layer by means of a preferably heated extrusion process. According to the most preferred embodiment, the particle deposits can either be spread on the conveying device and guided between the belts of the continuous pressing device, where the consolidation takes place or at least begins to consolidate. According to this particular preferred embodiment, a device such as is known from WO 2012/016916 can be applied for this purpose. Preferably, the particles have an average particle size of 1 to 3 mm, or approximately 2 mm. According to a particular embodiment, so-called microparticles or particles with an average particle size of less than 1 millimeter, for example particles of about 800 micrometers, are used. Particles smaller than 350 microns, or even better, 100 microns and smaller, may be used. Such small particles are preferably obtained not only by crushing larger particles, but by solidifying the thermoplastic material. Solidification will thus take place, for example, by quenching in the liquid. This particular technique for forming the granules results in a more spherical granule shape of the obtained granules. A more homogeneous composition of the corresponding thermoplastic layer can be obtained by using particles or microparticles of less than 1 mm which can be obtained by coagulation. The individual fibers of the present invention will be more effective when located in such particulate based layers.

The individual fibers may also be interspersed or incorporated within particles of the interspersed particulate matter.

The use of such microparticles is also advantageous when the final layer does not comprise any individual fibers. Therefore, the present invention also relates, according to a specific independent aspect, to a method for manufacturing panels comprising at least the step of forming a layer of thermoplastic material, characterized in that said layer is formed on the basis of dispersed particles of said thermoplastic material and said particles The average particle size is less than 1 mm, and more preferably less than 350 microns or less, or 100 microns or less. Preferably, the average particle size is greater than 25 microns, so as to avoid particle agglomeration and maintain good fluidity of the particles. It is clear that this method has preferred embodiments which correspond to the preferred embodiments of the method of said second aspect without necessarily applying individual fibers. It is clear that soft PVC is preferably used as thermoplastic material and that the corresponding thermoplastic layer preferably comprises fillers such as chalk or lime. These fillers may or may not be provided via corresponding particulates. Preferably, the particulate matter comprises more than 50% by weight filler or better still between 60 and 80% by weight filler, such as about 70 or 72% by weight filler. By using highly filled particles, a better distribution of the filler in the layer can be achieved and a smooth manufacturing process can be achieved. It is also clear that the method can be used to manufacture floor panels similar to said first aspect or its preferred embodiments without having to apply said individual fibers.

According to another embodiment of the second aspect, said layer is formed based on extruded thermoplastic material. This can involve, for example, obtaining the material by means of a so-called Banbury mixer (Kobe Steel company), in which granules of the corresponding thermoplastic material are kneaded, wherein the kneaded material is extruded, for example, between at least one set of rollers Floor. Here, the risk arises that the fibers are broken during mixing.

Also according to the above two particularly preferred embodiments, said particulate matter also preferably comprises at least a portion of said individual fibers, preferably glass fibres.

It is obvious that the layer obtained in the above steps must be processed together with other materials, whether present in said layer or not, in order to form the final panel. It is also possible to first obtain a board or sheet, whereby by subdividing it a plurality of such panels is obtained.

The corresponding layer can usually be handled in several ways. According to a first possibility, the respective layer is fused together at least at the surface with one or more other thermoplastic layers, such as a printed decorative film and/or a wear layer and/or a further base layer, by means of heating and pressing. According to a second possibility, one or more further material layers, in particular one or more further base layers, are provided in liquid form or in paste form by calendering them or otherwise providing them on an already formed layer. According to a third possibility, the layer comprising fibers according to the invention is arranged on other already formed layers, for example on a glass fiber mesh or on a glass fiber cloth, and/or on another already formed substrate layer.

Preferably, the method of the invention comprises the step of providing a layer of glass fibres, preferably a glass fiber mesh or "nonwoven", in a corresponding layer.

It should be noted that the transparent wear layer is preferably free of fibers such as glass fibers when applied. When a decorative film is utilized, it is also preferably free of such individual fibers, whether in the form of a layer or not. For decorative films, preferably printed rigid PVC films are applied, ie PVC films with no or little plasticizer. The use of a rigid PVC film results in high quality printing, since it is less subject to dimensional changes during printing. This is particularly advantageous when one or more drying processes are carried out by means of heat supply during printing, as will be the case with water-based pigmented inks. For the transparent wear layer, a soft PVC layer can be used, for example with 12 weight percent or more of plasticizer.

According to a third independent aspect, the invention also relates to a material that can be applied to the method of said second aspect and/or its preferred embodiments. To this end, the present invention relates to a granulate for forming a thermoplastic material, wherein the granulate comprises, besides the corresponding thermoplastic material, glass fibers, the average length of which glass fibers is preferably greater than 1 mm, and better still 3 mm or more. The particulate matter may include fillers such as lime or chalk. In this case, the particulate matter preferably comprises at least 50 or from 60 to 80 weight percent filler, such as chalk.

It is clear that the thermoplastic material can also have the composition stated in the first aspect. Preferably, the thermoplastic material relates to the raw material used to form semi-rigid or soft PVC. Preferably, the PVC comprises plasticizer in an amount greater than 12 weight percent, such as 20 or more weight percent.

It will be understood that, according to the present invention, "substrate" means the inner layer of the floor panel itself, which may consist of a single layer or multiple layers, but wherein the total thickness of the respective layers is preferably greater than half the total thickness of said panel, and/ Or wherein the total weight of said respective layers is preferably more than half of the total weight of said floor. Preferably, the contours of possible coupling means are substantially or completely realized in the base plate.

Also, it should be understood that "fiber" means elongated particles. Preferably, the length of such fibers is at least one hundred times their average diameter. Preferably, this involves fibers having a circular or approximately circular cross-section.

Description of drawings

In order to better illustrate the characteristics of the invention, some preferred embodiments will be described below as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a panel with the features of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross-section according to line II-II in Figure 1 on a larger scale;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates some steps in a method having features of said second aspect.

detailed description

Figure 1 shows a rectangular and oblong floor panel 1 having a pair of long sides 2-3 and a pair of short sides 4-5.

Figure 2 shows that a corresponding floor panel 1 is made up of layers 6-7-8-9-10.

The substrate 11 is formed by a layer 9 of thermoplastic material, in this case soft PVC, comprising individual fibers such as glass fibres. The corresponding substrate layer 9 also includes an embedded glass fiber mesh 12 . On the corresponding layer 9 there is provided a top layer 13 comprising a printed decoration layer 7 and a transparent wear layer 6 based on a thermoplastic material. The top layer 13 also includes a backing layer 8 located below the decorative film 7 . In this example, the backing layer 8 , the decorative film 7 and the wear layer 6 are based on polyvinyl chloride. Preferably, the decorative film 7 is made as a printed hard PVC film, while the wear layer 6 and possible optional backing layer 8 are preferably realized based on soft PVC, i.e. with an amount of plasticizer of 12 weight percent or more .

In this example, the decorative film 7 is provided with a print with a wood grain pattern 14, wherein each panel 1 provides an image of a single wood board at a time.

On the underside 15 of the substrate 11 there is provided an opposing layer 10 also based on soft PVC.

FIG. 2 shows that said layer 9 is at least in the middle of the thickness T of the substrate 11 . In this case, the corresponding layer 9 forms the entire substrate 11 .

FIG. 2 also shows that the respective layer 9 comprising individual fibers constitutes at least 40 percent and here even more than half of the thickness T of the panel 1 .

Furthermore, the panel 1 of this example is provided with mechanical coupling means or couplings 16 on opposite edges 2-3. Figure 2 shows that mechanical coupling means 16 on at least one pair of long edges 2-3 allow two such floor panels 1 to be coupled to each other such that in a vertical direction V1 perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels 1 and in a The joined edges 2 - 3 are locked in the vertical horizontal direction H1 and in the plane of the panel 1 . The coupling device 16 shown is characterized in that it is substantially realized as a groove 18 delimited by an upper lip 19 and a lower lip 20 and a tongue 17, wherein said tongue 17 and groove 18 are substantially intended for locking in said vertical direction V1, And wherein said tongue portion 17 and groove 18 are provided with additional locking portions 21-22, basically for locking along said horizontal direction H1. In this case, the locking portion comprises a protrusion 21 on the underside of the tongue 17 and a cooperating groove 22 in the lower lip 20 .

The coupling device 16 shown here allows coupling at least by turning W along the respective edge 2 - 3 .

The mechanical coupling means 16 are substantially realized in the layer 9, which according to the invention comprises individual fibers. In this example, they are provided by a milling process, for example by a rotating tool.

FIG. 3 shows some steps of a method for manufacturing the panel of FIGS. 1 and 2 . More specifically, said steps are shown for forming said layer 9 from a thermoplastic material comprising individual fibers according to the invention.

In the example of FIG. 3 , the respective layer 9 is formed based on particles 23 of a respective thermoplastic material. In this case, this is a granulate 23 having the features of the third aspect, wherein the granulate also comprises glass fibers.

FIG. 3 shows that the particles 23 are initially deposited on the conveying device 25 by means of the spreading device 24 and then merged between the belts 26 of the continuous pressing device 17 . In this case, the particulate matter 23 is conveyed along one or more heating devices 28 and it can be cooled again after the stacking process or at the end of the stacking process. By cooling, the extruded plates, sheets or layers obtained are relatively quickly available for further processing.

Figure 3 also shows that it can be applied or inserted simultaneously with the extrusion by placing another layer on or between the particles 23 during the extrusion process, in this case glass fiber Layer 12. This can involve, for example, the glass fiber layer 12 or the backing layer 8 , the decorative film 7 or the wear layer 6 as described above. It may also involve composite layers that have been laminated together, such as a top layer 3 that has been fully or partially composited, for example comprising at least a decorative film 7 and a wear layer 6, or at least a backing layer 8 and a decorative film 7; Lining layer 8 , decorative film 7 and backing layer 6 . A possible surface lacquer layer is preferably provided after the backlog treatment. This is not shown here. According to another possibility not shown, after the particles 23 have been at least partially compressed, preferably at least packed into a cohesive whole, at least the decorative film 7 or the wear-resistant layer 6 is provided or may be a combination of both. In the latter case, the already extruded layer based on particulate matter is preferably ground before the remaining layers 6 - 7 are placed thereon. In order to provide the decorative film 7 and/or the wear layer 6, preferably a continuous extrusion device is again used. Instead of grinding, it is also possible, for example, to carry out leveling with the aid of plastisols.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described here; rather, such panels, methods and granules can be realized according to various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, instead of being a floor panel, the panel can also be realized as a wall or ceiling panel or even as a furniture panel.

Claims (14)

1. A panel for forming a floor covering, wherein the panel (1) comprises a substrate having a thickness of 1.3 mm to 10 mm and comprising at least a layer (9) of thermoplastic material, wherein the panel (1) is in The layer (9) of thermoplastic material further comprises at least a printed decoration and a translucent or transparent wear layer, said layer (9) of thermoplastic material is located at least in the middle of the thickness of the panel, wherein said thermoplastic material is polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene or polyurethane, characterized in that said layer (9) of thermoplastic material also comprises at least individual glass fibers with a length greater than 1 mm, wherein said individual glass fibers are loose and in said freely distributed in the layer (9) of said thermoplastic material. 2. Panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual glass fibers are provided with a coating to improve adhesion to the thermoplastic material or in that the individual glass fibers are treated to improve adhesion to the thermoplastic material. sexual treatment. 3. Panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the layer (9) of thermoplastic material also comprises at least a glass fiber cloth or a glass fiber mesh (12). 4. Panel according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that it comprises at least two layers (9) of said thermoplastic material based on thermoplastic material. 5. Panel according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that said thermoplastic material is soft polyvinyl chloride with 12% by weight or more of plasticizer. 6. A panel as claimed in claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that the thermoplastic material further comprises a filler. 7. Panel according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that said individual glass fibers have an average diameter between 5 and 25 microns. 8. Panel according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that the average length of the individual glass fibers is greater than 3mm. 9. A method for manufacturing a panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said method comprises at least the step of forming a layer (9) of said thermoplastic material based on dispersed particles (23) of said thermoplastic material, and wherein , the formed layer (9) of thermoplastic material comprises individual glass fibers having a length greater than 1 mm, wherein said individual glass fibers are loose and freely distributed in said layer (9) of thermoplastic material, wherein said interspersed The granules (23) are combined between the belts (26) of the continuous extrusion device (27). 10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that said dispersed particulate matter (23) comprises at least a portion of said individual glass fibers. 11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the thermoplastic material is soft PVC and that the individual glass fibers are provided with a coating improving the adhesion to the thermoplastic material or are the individual glass fibers A treatment to improve adhesion to the thermoplastic material is provided. 12. The method according to claim 9, said dispersed particles (23) having an average particle size of less than 1 mm. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, for the dispersed particles (23), it starts with particles having an average particle size of 350 microns or less. 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein said dispersed particulate matter (23) comprises, in addition to said thermoplastic material, glass fibers having a length greater than 1 mm.